Differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells promoted by co-cultured Schwann cells

Objective To explore the factors which induce the differentiation of neural stem cells. Methods Rat embryonic neural stem cells were co cultured with newborn rat Schwann cells in the serum free medium. The morphological change and the expression of tubulin β, GalC and GFAP were investigated via phase contrast and double immunofluorescence respectively. Results The majority of neural stem cells protruded several elongate processes and the expression of tubulin βwas high, while only small part of cells protruded several short processes and were GalC or GFAP positive. Conclusions Schwann cells promoted the differentiation of co cultured neural stem cells.